President Bola Tinubu has officially transmitted a proposed budget of ₦1.48 trillion for the Rivers State Government to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.
The move comes after the Supreme Court nullified the state’s 2025 budget, and the state was placed under emergency rule. This prompted the President to take the unusual step of forwarding the state’s financial plan to the federal legislature.
According to Tinubu, ₦324 billion from the budget will be directed toward infrastructure, ₦166 billion toward health, ₦75.6 billion toward education, and ₦31.4 billion for agriculture. The administration projects that agriculture spending alone will generate about 6,000 jobs.
“Please find forwarded herewith the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State for the consideration of the Senate,” the President’s letter stated.
President Tinubu reminded lawmakers that Rivers State has been under emergency rule since March 2025, which effectively suspended the operations of the state’s House of Assembly. Under Regulation 4, subsection 2(f) of the Emergency Rule 2025 provisions, any budget-related decision must now be approved by the federal legislature.
“The National Assembly is expected to perform the role of the state legislature under the emergency rule framework,” Tinubu wrote, justifying the request for the Senate to approve the proposed spending plan.
The President further stressed the importance of the proposed budget’s focus:
“This spending plan prioritises investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture, which is projected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs,” the letter added.
Concluding the letter, Tinubu expressed confidence in the Senate’s swift action:
“Accordingly, I hereby forward the Rivers State Government 2025 Appropriation Bill and trust that it will receive the expeditious and favourable consideration of the Senate.”
Following the reading of the President’s letter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the proposal to the Senate ad-hoc committee on Rivers State, urging them to review the bill promptly.
The National Assembly had previously approved the emergency rule in Rivers State on March 20, 2025. As part of the oversight process, an ad-hoc committee was established on May 6 to monitor governance and security conditions in the state.
Rumors of a military coup in Ivory Coast on Wednesday, 21st of May, 2025, have been firmly debunked by local sources.
According to a resident of Ivory Coast, simply known as Pastor, who spoke with LN247, he clarified that no coup or attempted coup has occurred, countering social media claims of unrest.
He said ‘”on Monday, May 19th, 2025, there was a protest by taxi drivers in Abidjan’s central business district, Plateau, over a newly imposed tax increase turned violent.
The situation escalated when the Finance Minister addressed the drivers and introduced a new tax system coordinator, prompting a riot.
Police intervened, opening fire, and some armed drivers returned fire, leading to several injuries and arrests”.
Our source emphasized that daily life remains unaffected, with people moving freely, the internet fully operational, and no signs of uprisings or demonstrations beyond the isolated incident.
He also noted that the upcoming October 2025 presidential election may be fueling political tensions, with social media being “weaponized” to exaggerate events and spread misinformation.
“You know the presidential election is coming up later this year, so everything will be weaponized, especially social media,” he said, promising to provide updates if further developments arise.
Recent posts on X support Pastor Niyi’s account, noting President Alassane Ouattara’s active governance, including chairing a cabinet meeting on May 20, 2025, and dismissing coup rumors as unverified.
The confusion likely stems from the protest’s violence, misreported as gunfire near the state house, and regional tensions, such as Burkina Faso’s junta accusing Ivory Coast of harboring rebels plotting a coup in April 2025.
Political sensitivities around the election, particularly the disqualification of opposition leader Tidjane Thiam, have further amplified fears of instability, but Ivory Coast remains a relative haven in a region marked by recent coups.
What Is a Coup?
A coup d’état is defined by political scientists Jonathan Powell and Clayton Thyne as an “illegal and overt attempt by the military or other elites within the state apparatus to unseat the sitting executive.” Successful coups result in military or junta-led governance, often justified by claims of addressing corruption, insecurity, or electoral malpractice.
Are there African countries that have witnessed successful coups in the last five years? Here’s what you should know.
Countries That HaveExperienced Coups in the Last Five Years
Since 2020, at least eight African countries have experienced successful military coups, with several facing multiple or failed attempts, contributing to the region’s “coup belt” moniker, particularly in the Sahel.
Mali (August 2020, May 2021):
In August 2020, a group of colonels, led by Assimi Goïta, overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita amid protests over deteriorating security, contested elections, and corruption allegations.
A transitional government was formed in October 2020, but nine months later, Goïta led a second coup, arresting interim President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane.
Goïta was inaugurated as transitional president in June 2021, promising elections by February 2024, though delays have pushed this to 2027. Mali’s junta has expelled French forces and aligned with Russia, reflecting anti-Western sentiment.
Guinea (September 2021):
Special forces commander Colonel Mamady Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha Condé on September 5, 2021, after Condé amended the constitution in 2020 to run for a third term, sparking deadly protests.
Doumbouya was sworn in as president on October 1, 2021, pledging to return power to civilians by the end of 2024. The coup was widely supported by citizens frustrated with Condé’s authoritarianism, though the junta’s slow transition has raised concerns.
Sudan (October 2021):
On October 25, 2021, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a military takeover in Khartoum, dissolving a civilian-military transitional council established after the 2019 ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir. A prior failed coup attempt on September 21, 2021, underscored military tensions.
The 2021 coup derailed Sudan’s democratic transition, and by April 2023, a power struggle between Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, erupted into a war that has killed over 5,000 people and displaced millions.
Chad (April 2021):
Following President Idriss Déby’s death in battle against northern rebels on April 20, 2021—the first African head of state killed in combat since 1889—the military installed his son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby, as leader.
The junta suspended the constitution and promised an 18-month transition, but delays have extended military rule, with elections repeatedly postponed amid accusations of dynastic consolidation.
Burkina Faso (January 2022, September 2022):
On January 24, 2022, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, citing his failure to curb Islamist insurgencies.
Damiba was sworn in as president in February but was himself overthrown on September 30, 2022, by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who was appointed transitional president.
Traoré’s junta has promised elections by July 2024 but faces ongoing security challenges, with over 60% of the country outside government control.
Niger (July 2023):
On July 26, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tiani led a military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s first democratically elected leader to succeed another in a civilian-to-civilian transition (2021). The junta cited security and governance failures.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened military intervention but prioritized diplomacy, while the junta proposed a three-year transition to civilian rule.
Public rallies in Niamey supported the coup, reflecting frustration with Bazoum’s administration.
Gabon (August 2023):
On August 30, 2023, General Brice Oligui Nguema, head of the Republican Guard, overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba days after a disputed general election marred by a curfew, internet blackout, and barred international observers.
Bongo’s family had ruled Gabon for over 50 years, and the coup was welcomed by crowds frustrated with dynastic rule and electoral fraud allegations.
Guinea-Bissau (February 2022):
A failed coup attempt on February 1, 2022, targeted President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, with gunfire reported near the government palace.
The attempt, allegedly led by military elements, was thwarted, but it highlighted ongoing political instability in a country with a history of coups.
Failed attempts, such as those in Niger (March 2021) and Guinea-Bissau (2022), still destabilize political systems. Africa has seen 214 coup attempts since 1950, with 106 successes, accounting for nearly half of the global total of 486.
What Coup Means For Africa
The wave of coups since 2020 signals a troubling reversal of democratic progress made between 2000 and 2015, when term limit adherence was strengthening across Africa.
Currently, 56% of African countries (30 out of 54) lack functional executive term limits, due to coups, term limit evasions by civilian leaders, or absent constitutional restrictions. This trend has significant implications:
•Erosion Of Democratic Norms: Military coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have suspended constitutions, delaying elections and entrenching juntas.
The median duration of military rule post-coup since 2021 exceeds 1,000 days, compared to shorter transitions before 2021.
•Public Disillusionment: Afrobarometer surveys reveal declining support for democracy (from 73% to 68% over a decade) and skepticism about elections, with only 44% of Africans believing they can remove unwanted leaders.
Public celebrations of coups in Niger, Guinea, and Gabon reflect deep frustration with civilian governments’ failures in addressing poverty, insecurity, and corruption.
•Security And Economic Challenges: Coups have coincided with worsening security, particularly in the Sahel, where jihadist groups have displaced millions and seized territory. Burkina Faso’s junta, for instance, controls less than 40% of its land.
The World Bank projects Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth to fall to 3.1% by 2025, exacerbating poverty and fueling unrest.
•Regional Dynamics and Anti-Western Sentiment: Most coup-affected countries (except Sudan) are former French colonies, where anti-French rhetoric has bolstered junta support. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have expelled French troops and turned to Russia for security partnerships, though results remain limited. Ivory Coast’s recent expulsion of French forces aligns with this trend, despite its stability.
•Long-Term Risks:
While coups initially garner public support as a response to governance failures, analysts like Ibrahim Anoba warn they often fail to deliver promised reforms. “It’s like scratching an itchy wound—it feels good momentarily but worsens the condition,” Anoba says, highlighting the risk of prolonged instability under military rule.
Ivory Coast’s avoidance of a coup underscores its relative stability, but the taxi drivers’ protest and election-related tensions highlight underlying vulnerabilities.
Pastor Niyi’s account emphasizes the role of social media in amplifying isolated incidents, a pattern seen across the region.
Strengthening democratic institutions, addressing economic grievances, and ensuring fair elections are critical to preventing Ivory Coast and other African nations from joining the coup belt.
The British government is set to finalize an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after a High Court judge removed a temporary injunction.
On Thursday morning, the court issued an injunction that delayed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned virtual signing ceremony with Mauritian officials.
However, following a hearing later that day, Judge Martin Chamberlain lifted the injunction, paving the way for the United Kingdom to proceed with signing the multibillion-dollar agreement to relinquish sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The UK government welcomed the ruling, saying “this deal is vital to protect the British people and our national security.”
The United Kingdom has agreed to transfer the Indian Ocean archipelago, which includes the strategically significant naval and bomber base on Diego Garcia, to Mauritius. The UK will then lease the base back for a minimum of 99 years.
The deal was scheduled to be formalized by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam during a virtual ceremony on Thursday morning.
However, a judge issued an injunction early Thursday, halting the agreement. This followed a claim by two Chagossian women, representing the islands’ original inhabitants, who were displaced decades ago to accommodate the United States base.
Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, both British citizens, are concerned that returning to the islands will become even more challenging once Mauritius assumes control.
High Court judge Julian Goose had prohibited the UK government from taking any “conclusive or legally binding step to conclude its negotiations” to transfer the territory to a foreign government.
The United Kingdom, which has governed the region since 1814, detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965 to establish the British Indian Ocean Territory.
In the early 1970s, approximately 1,500 residents were forcibly removed to Mauritius and Seychelles to clear the way for the Diego Garcia airbase on the largest island.
In October, the government revealed a draft agreement to cede the islands to Mauritius while securing a 99-year lease for the UK and the United States to continue operating the Diego Garcia base.
The administration of US President Donald Trump, which was consulted on the agreement, granted its approval. However, finalizing the deal was postponed due to a change in government in Mauritius and reported last-minute negotiations over costs.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has raised concerns over the low number of student loan applications from Rivers State University (RSU), urging immediate collaboration to address the situation.
This was disclosed by NELFUND Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, during a strategic engagement and sensitisation campaign held in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Director of Administration, Dr. Zino Ugboma, Sawyerr noted that an internal review of loan applications revealed troubling statistics.
According to data presented, the University of Port Harcourt recorded over 3,000 applicants, while Rivers State University registered only 1,500 applications—despite having nearly 40,000 students.
“Going through our records, we discovered something concerning. For a university of this size, the number of applicants is significantly low. The Managing Director directed that we meet with the university’s management to understand the reasons behind this,” Ugboma said.
He stressed that the funds are readily available and meant to be accessed by students, calling for stronger institutional collaboration to identify barriers and boost uptake.
In response, the Vice Chancellor of RSU, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi—represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Victor Akujuru—acknowledged the gap and pledged full cooperation to resolve the issue.
“We appreciate NELFUND for drawing attention to this shortfall. The Vice Chancellor has tasked relevant units, including the Director of ICT and the Head of Student Affairs, to be present and engage on solutions. The current figures are indeed a cause for concern,” Akujuru said.
Also speaking, Professor Sunny Orike, Director of ICT at the university, attributed the low application rate to the complexity of the application process, which many students struggled to complete.
“We’ve created designated spaces within the city where students can interact with our systems, and we’re committed to improving accessibility and user experience,” Orike explained.
He added that the ICT department is developing a more structured support system to guide students through the application process. This includes tagging students for follow-up, assisting with forms, ensuring compliance, issuing memos, and maintaining clear communication channels.
Orike further emphasized the importance of continuous training for both students and staff as the university transitions to more centralized, digital academic processes.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to hold a mop-up examination for candidates who were unable to participate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) due to various challenges.
The Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting with Chief External Examiners, State Technical Advisers, and other key officials in Abuja.
Professor Oloyede revealed that the pressure stemming from technical hitches encountered during the UTME in parts of the South-East and Lagos State had been overwhelming—so much so that he briefly considered stepping down.
He defended the swift rescheduling of exams for affected candidates, stressing the urgency imposed by the national academic calendar.
Reaffirming his commitment to integrity and national service, the JAMB Registrar dismissed any allegations of bias in the board’s handling of the situation.
In his remarks, Professor Vincent Tenebe, Chairman of the Chief External Examiners Group, commended Professor Oloyede’s leadership during what he described as a particularly trying period.
Tragically, the meeting also observed a minute of silence in memory of a candidate who reportedly took her own life following the release of her UTME results.
Fidelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s largest commercial banks, is under intense pressure following a landmark Supreme Court ruling, ordering it to pay ₦225.3 billion in damages to Ibadan-based Sagecom Concept Ltd.
The legal battle, which dates back over a decade, has culminated in what may be the most financially devastating ruling ever delivered against a Nigerian bank.
While the judgment may mark a win for justice, many are left wondering:, can Fidelity Bank absorb such a massive financial blow without collapsing? And what does this mean for millions of depositors and the broader financial system?
The Origin of The Issue
At the heart of the matter is a property transaction gone wrong.
Fidelity Bank, which acquired FSB International Bank during the 2005 consolidation era, inherited a series of loan agreements, including one involving engineering firm G. Cappa Plc.
Following a loan default, Fidelity seized and sold off properties tied to the defaulted loan — despite a court injunction halting the process. One of those buyers was Sagecom Concept Ltd, who later found that the bank had sold them disputed assets under legal restriction.
What followed was a years-long legal pursuit through Nigeria’s judicial system, ending in a Supreme Court verdict that found Fidelity Bank guilty of violating a court order and acting in bad faith.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Adamu Jauro stated:
“Allowing the appellant to escape liability as it so desperately seeks would be tantamount to allowing it to benefit from its own wrong.”
Backing the decision, Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey issued a concurring opinion that went even further:
“Fidelity’s conduct was a deliberate disregard for the court’s authority and for the rights of Sagecom.”
The court affirmed earlier rulings by the Lagos High Court and the Court of Appeal, stating that there was no miscarriage of justice in awarding damages to Sagecom for lost rental income and financial loss tied to the invalid property sale.
Is Fidelity Bank at Risk of Collapse?
Fidelity Bank is not just any institution. As the sixth-largest Nigerian bank by assets, its role in the financial ecosystem is significant. However, the ₦225 billion payout — roughly equivalent to over half of the bank’s declared pre-tax profit in 2024 (₦385 billion), could strain its financial resilience.
More concerning is that insiders say a large portion of those profits are not liquid but tied up in long-term, rolled-over loans.
This means the bank may not have enough readily available cash to meet the court-ordered payment in full, and no other financial institution has yet volunteered to underwrite the liability.
The Supreme Court’s emphasis on urgency leaves little room for staggered payments. Without structured support — possibly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) — Fidelity could be staring at a solvency crisis.
What This Means for Depositors
The most immediate concern for the public is the safety of customer deposits.
If Fidelity Bank fails to meet its obligations, and if there is no timely intervention from regulators, depositors could experience delays or restrictions in accessing funds. While Nigeria’s deposit insurance scheme protects individual account holders up to a point, the sheer scale of the judgment raises fears about the overall liquidity of the bank.
Even rumors of instability could trigger panic withdrawals, putting further pressure on Fidelity’s already precarious balance sheet.
Final Court Award: A Heavy Price
The initial ruling by Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court in 2011 ordered compensation for Sagecom. Following the Supreme Court verdict, Justice Akinlade recently updated the award to reflect current financial realities: $139 million or ₦225.3 billion, using the official exchange rate of ₦1,620 per dollar as of May 15, 2025.
Fidelity is expected to challenge the calculation during a hearing on May 19, but court insiders say the outcome is unlikely to change. Justice Akinlade has already made clear that the final naira value will depend on the exchange rate on the actual date of payment.
Possible CBN Intervention
With Fidelity Bank now caught in what may be the gravest challenge in its history, attention turns to the CBN. Traditionally, the apex bank has stepped in to support or restructure distressed banks to preserve confidence in the financial system — but with Nigeria’s economy itself under strain, the options may be limited.
Regulatory silence so far is telling. However, if Fidelity’s troubles escalate, the CBN may have no choice but to announce a bailout, facilitate a merger, or engineer a bridge-bank solution to protect depositors and prevent contagion across the banking sector.
The Bigger Picture: Accountability and Risk Management
This crisis also raises hard questions about governance and compliance culture within Nigerian banks. How did a major institution like Fidelity disregard a court injunction and proceed with a property sale? And how could such a lapse go unaddressed until now?
Critics argue that aggressive loan recovery tactics and a “get-it-done” culture may have overridden sound legal and ethical standards — a lesson other financial institutions would do well to heed.
As Fidelity Bank negotiates repayment terms and braces for potential fallout, the next few weeks will be critical. Will the bank find a structured way out? Will the CBN step in? And more importantly, will depositors keep faith in the system?
One thing is certain: this isn’t just a story about a court ruling — it’s a stress test of Nigeria’s financial stability, banking integrity, and regulatory response in real time.
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, yet they’re buckling under burnout, migrating abroad, or abandoning the profession entirely. The State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report, released by the World Health Organization on International Nurses Day, lays bare a crisis threatening global health.
While the nursing workforce grew from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, a shortfall of 5.8 million nurses persists, projected to ease to 4.1 million by 2030 if trends hold. Low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, bear 70% of this burden. With nurses stretched thin, facing violence, and lacking mental health support, the question looms: Who’s left to care, and how do we fix this?
A Global Shortage, Unevenly Felt
The numbers tell a story of stark inequity. Africa has just 10.6 nurses per 10,000 people, the Eastern Mediterranean 15.5, while Europe boasts 79.5. Globally, 78% of nurses serve only 49% of the population, leaving vast regions underserved.
Insert a world map illustrating nurse density per 10,000 population, with Africa at 10.6, Eastern Mediterranean at 15.5, and Europe at 79.5. Include a red alert box stating: “78% of nurses serve just 49% of the global population.”
This disparity stems from a global tug-of-war for nurses. High-income countries like the UK, US, and Australia rely heavily on foreign-born nurses—23% of their nursing workforce, compared to 14% globally. Low-income countries, like Nigeria and the Philippines, are training more nurses but lack jobs to retain them, fueling a brain drain that cripples their health systems.
Insert a bar chart comparing the percentage of foreign-born nurses: 23% in high-income countries vs. 14% globally.
Harsh Realities on the Frontlines
Working conditions are driving nurses away. Only 42% of countries provide mental health support for nurses, despite heavier workloads and trauma post-COVID. In conflict zones, particularly the Eastern Mediterranean, nurses face violence—63% of global attacks on healthcare in 2024 targeted this region. Shockingly, 86% of national nursing associations report attacks on nurses by patients or the public.
Insert a pie chart showing mental health support availability: 42% of countries have provisions, 58% do not. Include a callout box stating: “86% of nursing associations report violence against nurses.”
These conditions—burnout, inadequate pay, and violence—make retention nearly impossible. Women, who comprise 85% of nurses, also face gender pay gaps and discrimination, compounding the crisis. With healthcare spending projected to surge 65% by 2025, the demand for nurses will only grow, putting further strain on an already fragile workforce.
Signs of Hope
Amid the gloom, some countries offer blueprints for change. Rwanda has expanded nurse education, boosting its workforce capacity. New Zealand has focused on better wages and safer workplaces, reducing turnover. These strategies—investing in training, improving pay, and prioritizing safety—show what’s possible with political will.
A Call to Action
The WHO report demands bold investments in education, jobs, and leadership to meet global health goals by 2030. Nurse-led community health models, especially in rural areas, have proven effective and must be scaled up. Chief nursing officers, as seen in countries with strong health systems, can drive policy reforms. High-income countries must reduce reliance on foreign nurses by training their own, while supporting low-income nations through ethical recruitment and funding.
This crisis affects everyone—longer hospital waits, strained care for loved ones, and weakened health systems. The State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report is a wake-up call. Governments, health leaders, and communities must act now to value and protect nurses, ensuring they’re not just the backbone of healthcare but its beating heart.
The Enugu State Police Command on Tuesday disclosed the successful rescue of 28 individuals who had been kidnapped, alongside the arrest of 10 suspects, following a series of coordinated security operations.
According to a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, Commissioner of Police Mamman Giwa explained that the efforts were part of ongoing operations aimed at eliminating persistent violent crime across the state.
“We have successfully rescued 28 kidnapped victims, arrested 10 male suspects, and recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles, and other exhibits. The operations were carried out in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members,” Giwa was quoted to have said.
One of the rescue efforts involved officers from the Umumba Police Division, who recovered four victims abducted along the Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area. Four male suspects connected to the abduction were taken into custody and are currently being interrogated.
“We promptly rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along the Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road following a tactical bush-combing operation,” Giwa said.
In a separate incident, personnel from the 9th Mile Police Division quickly reacted to an emergency call and intervened to save an unidentified male suspect from an angry mob. The suspect, along with three accomplices, had allegedly tried to abduct a woman, who managed to alert others, prompting the group to flee.
The statement further detailed the recovery of a pump-action rifle, two live cartridges, and N220,000 believed to have been ransom money during another operation. “Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” the statement revealed.
Commissioner Giwa applauded the police teams, other security collaborators, and community members for their involvement in the success of the operations. He also reiterated the command’s determination to rid Enugu State of violent criminals and ensure greater public safety.
“Residents are urged to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities,” he said
In a major stride toward enhanced national security, the Nigerian government has apprehended several internationally wanted fugitives at the country’s airports, marking a new era in border control and surveillance.
Speaking at a maritime security conference in Lagos, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed that individuals listed on INTERPOL’s red notice were successfully intercepted just days apart. These arrests were facilitated by cutting-edge technology and upgraded data systems now active at Nigeria’s entry points.
“We’ve heavily invested in a centralized tracking system that identifies high-risk individuals in real-time,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “In just 48 hours, we prevented multiple fugitives — including some arriving from Italy and Ireland — from slipping into the country unnoticed.”
The minister highlighted that Nigeria previously lacked the capability to vet incoming travelers before arrival. However, the deployment of the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system has revolutionized border security.
“With the API, we now receive detailed passenger information before their flights even touch down,” he added. “This allows us to pre-screen for criminal history, travel patterns, and other risk indicators.”
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that this technological advancement was absent in past administrations and forms part of the current government’s broader initiative to align with international security standards.
Also addressing the conference, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Comptroller General Kemi Nandap reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to securing Nigeria’s land and maritime borders. She pointed out persistent threats such as piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing, which undermine regional safety.
Nandap stressed the NIS’s resolve to prevent criminal syndicates and foreign extremist elements from exploiting Nigeria’s borders, reinforcing the country’s commitment to comprehensive border protection.
President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States has finalized a design for its advanced “Golden Dome” missile defense system, which he expects to be functional before the end of his presidency.
Shortly after reassuming office in January, Trump announced the launch of this defense initiative, which aims to respond to “next-generation” missile threats to the country, including both cruise and ballistic types.
An initial allocation of $25 billion (£18.7 billion) has been proposed in a new federal budget, although experts suggest the overall cost could rise dramatically—potentially up to 20 times more over the coming decades.
There are ongoing concerns about whether it’s feasible to implement a full-scale defense mechanism that would protect the entire US landmass.
Military officials have raised alarms that current defense systems are lagging behind the evolving weapon capabilities of potential global rivals.
A recent report by the Defense Intelligence Agency highlighted that missile threats “will expand in scale and sophistication”, noting that both Russia and China are working on systems “to exploit gaps” in America’s missile shield.
A week into his second term, Trump directed the Department of Defense to present a proposal for a system that would both deter and respond to airborne assaults, which the White House described as “the most catastrophic threat” facing the country.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump explained that the project would use “next-generation” technology deployed across land, sea, and space, with plans for both sensors and missile interceptors positioned in orbit.
Trump also claimed that the system would be “capable even of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world, or launched from space”.
While inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome system, operational since 2011, the Golden Dome is expected to be significantly larger and more complex. Its scope includes defending against hypersonic missiles and fractional orbital bombardment systems—known as Fobs—that can deploy warheads from space.
“Israel’s missile defence challenge is a lot easier than one in the United States,” Marion Messmer, a senior fellow at Chatham House in London mentioned. “The geography is much smaller and the angles and directions and the types of missiles are more limited.”
Shashank Joshi, the Economist’s defense editor, said that the Golden Dome would likely operate using thousands of satellites to detect and track incoming threats, while orbital interceptors would aim to neutralize the missiles early in their launch phase.
While the US military is expected to treat the proposal with seriousness, Joshi cautioned that building such a system within Trump’s term is highly unlikely, especially considering the financial implications it would have on the broader defense budget.
Trump stated on Tuesday that the program would start with a $25 billion investment, potentially climbing to $175 billion over time.
However, the Congressional Budget Office projects the cost could soar even higher, reaching as much as $542 billion over the next two decades for the space-based components alone.
According to Trump, Canada has expressed interest in joining the initiative.
During a visit to Washington earlier this year, then-Canadian defense minister Bill Blair said Canada was open to the idea, suggesting that participation “makes sense” and aligned with the country’s “national interest”.
US defense officials say that a unified command will oversee the various components of the Golden Dome system. Space Force General Michael Guetlein has been appointed to lead the effort.
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